The beauty *N* the beast

[jbice70gmc]

OK fellas I've been debating on wether to start a build thread or not due to my lack of knowledge in auto mechanics and just about these trucks in general, but I figure if I can't teach anyone from what I know you guys can learn from my mistakes and I'm sure there will be plenty. This truck has alot of sentimental value to me so I will try to keep the cab and as many of the other body parts as possible original. I'm not looking to make a show truck but I want it to look nice. As far as the way the floor board looks under the carpet baring rust I don't really care. So I'm not looking for absolute perfection but I want it to look nice and last a long time. This truck was my grandfathers truck he bought this truck used in 1984 to drive on his farm in Crockett TX just after he retired in 1980. My grandfather passed in 1986 when I was 16 so the truck has been sitting in the same spot for roughly 25 years outdoors under an old oak tree. As you can see in the pictures the truck has sunk in the ground up to the axles. I picked the truck up in May and brought it to my home in Houston and started tearing it down for a complete frame off resto. Just like the majority of us here I'm a blue collard really average dude so funds are limited or I guess not but depending on how much I have to come up with is how long it will take to complete this resto. I would imagine this will be quiet a lengthy build. I will list my plans for the truck here and show you a few pics. Also like I said I brought it home in May so I will try to catch yall up to where I'm at currently on the build. Oh yea currently the truck has a 250 l6 and a 3 speed manual on the tree.

Mini C notch's CPP
Front cups and plates Kp components
Denominator 2600 bags airbaggit.com
2 viar 400's
5 gallon air tank
Budnik 20x8.5 front 20x10 in back
5.3 liter GM motor
4l60 tranny
3.73 posi

[jbice70gmc]

Here are some pictures from when me and my dad went and picked it up.

[jbice70gmc]

I have taken alot of pictures so this may take a while just 5 pictures at a time. More when we picked it up and a couple after I got it home.

[jbice70gmc]

Hey CHEBY the rear bumper says the truck came from a dealership in Wheatley Arkansas. You have any idea where that is?

[67cheby]

no i dont, i will have to try to find it ???

[jbice70gmc]

And for the tear down.

[67cheby]

NICE...cant wait for the tear apart !! LOL, my favorite part

[bharrison1]

Cool project!!

[jbice70gmc]

Thanks bharrison1

[jbice70gmc]

More pics of the tear down.

[jbice70gmc]

Finding a little more rust than anticipated. Had to install a 220 outlet in my garage for the new welder. Oh yea never used a mig welder and its been about 20 years since I've used a arc welder. Got some shots here of my first welds with the new mig machine. UUggllyy.

[jbice70gmc]

Wholes in the floor board.

[no moa]

After 25 years, you truck is still 20 times cleaner than mine. Looks like a great project.
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[67cheby]

SWEET...love the sneek peak at the end result !!

[Krooked Kustoms]

G'day cobber. Like the plans for ya rig. Ya mates truck looks killer! Frame come up really good IMO, likin the colour and good job on the shaving and rust repairs. I'll be watching this one cheers mate.
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[67cheby]

nice work on the frame ...looks slick !!

[jbice70gmc]

Thanks cheby glad you like it.

[jbice70gmc]

My motivation, thank you surf blue.

[jbice70gmc]

Cut the cups down today. I took a whole inch off. Hope I did'nt take to much but if I did i'm just out a set of cups anyway no biggie.

[VA72C10]

Looking really good! I think you might have taken a bit too much off the cups...but I guess we'll see when you get the lower arms in...

[jbice70gmc]

What exactly will cutting to much off do? Will the lower control arm hit the cross member or something? My buddy has the lowers pressing the ball joints in + I still need the shafts I may go and get them tomorrow if O'rielly has them in stock.

[jbice70gmc]

OK I got the lowers back from my bud with the new ball joints in place. Got new shafts upper and lower. One of my lower shafts was jacked up pretty bad the cap on one side had cracked and wore all the threads down so I just went ahead and bought all new shafts. Had a hard time getting the shaft caps to go on even after I used a wire brush on my drill to knock the powder coating off the threads. But there on now and every thing seems to fit OK. My bag does rub on the lower control arm a little since I cut my cups down. I'm sure over time it will wear on the bag and eventually may even rub a hole in the bags but I think I will live them as is for now the powder coating has the control arm feeling really smooth so I think it will be OK. Also got he spindles on today. Here are some pictures of todays progress.

[VA72C10]

Looking good! Looking at your cups again it almost looks like they were cut down before you cut them...the ones I've seen were almost twice as tall....wonder if you could tack back on the cut pieces and see how they work?

[jbice70gmc]

I bought the cups and plates from KP components. the cups were a little over 1 1/2 inches tall before cutting and the plates they sent me did'nt really work with the 2600's the bolt holes lined up fine but I had to do work on that air fitting hole it was off about 1/4 of an inch. I have been thinking about tacking the pieces I cut off back on but I'm just affraid I won't get the look I want. I really like your set up better with the plate up top and on the bottom. I need to talk with someone that has the same setup I have like trendz68 I think he may have cut his cups.

[jbice70gmc]

Took a couple of pictures with the wheels mocked up to the frame its got me geeked.If I had the cash I would'nt stop working night and day until it was finished.